Minister Shaw Urges More Responsible Road Use

Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Audley Shaw, is imploring Jamaicans to exercise more responsible use of the nation’s roads.

He said that excessive speeding, failure to keep the traffic lane, inappropriate use of the road and failure to use the necessary protective devices (seatbelts and helmets) are the common factors that account for road deaths.

“I am urging all Jamaicans to slow down on the roads. There is no need for excessive speeding,” he said.

“Motorists and motorcyclists must take responsibility for their actions and obey the rules and regulations that govern the use of our roads, because there are serious consequences for delinquent actions,” he pointed out.

Minister Shaw was addressing the Public Transport Defensive Driving Seminar held on July 27 at the Golf View Hotel, Manchester.

Data from the Road Safety Unit indicate that as of July 26, approximately 272 Jamaicans have been killed on the nation’s roadways, which is a one per cent decline over the 275 road fatalities for the same period in 2021.

In addition, there has been a 200 per cent increase in road fatalities among public passenger vehicle (PPV) drivers, moving from one in 2021 to three as at June 26.

The Public Transport Defensive Driving Seminar was hosted by Grennell’s Driving School, the Insurance Association of Jamaica, Transport Authority, and other key stakeholders.